Charlie has been pretty grouchy the past few weeks, snippy and snappy and I didn’t understand why. On Saturday, the snow had finally melted enough in a few areas of the yard that I was able to traverse the ground in my boot-cast for the first time since I broke my foot, camera in hand. Charlie was ecstatic.
His modeling was next level ~ he pranced around catching the light, staring down the camera, posing and smiling and singing. He seemed to know I was limited in my capacity for movement because he ran a few loops repeatedly, consistently, like he knew that if he did that, I could get my framing and focusing down because I knew what was coming and exactly where he’d be.
I hadn’t photographed Charlie for three weeks due to my broken foot – the longest stretch of time, by far, that we’ve ever gone without shooting together – and I think this is perhaps why he was grumpy, like he thought he was getting “aged out” of his modeling career and was insulted when he didn’t have the opportunity to display his fabulous perfection for the world, for all of you, for posterity.
photo taken March 2019
one year ago:
Love Muffin
two years ago:
For All That You Are
three years ago:
Too Perfect
four years ago:
Sunbathing That Belly
five years ago:
Rich In Color
six years ago:
Mudville Slide
seven years ago:
Morning Muse
eight years ago:
Comin’ Round The Mountain
nine years ago:
To The Left
ten years ago:
A Furling Ear
eleven years ago:
From Deep In The Archive
April 22nd, 2019 at 6:38 am
I’m a Charlie China fan
April 22nd, 2019 at 9:06 am
Poor boy was missing his specially Momma time.
April 22nd, 2019 at 10:10 am
What a wonderful, aware, perfect ham he is!!!!!
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:16 am
That guy! So smart. He wants to do his job!
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:53 am
I love this boy.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:57 am
I didn’t know your foot had been broken. I hope it heals smoothly!
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:55 pm
I thought that beautiful Charlie gets tired of having his picture taken once a while
Guess he loves to be famous in pictures and miss it :)
April 22nd, 2019 at 6:16 pm
They say dogs (substitute coyotes) reflect their owners (substitute mentor/mom) moods. I’m guessing you weren’t real happy to be cooped up in the house and without snapping beautiful Charlie photos, so perhaps you both needed to get out and smell the fresh air and “romp” together. Glad the nature gods cooperated and hoping you heal well and that Charlie’s mood stays better now.
April 22nd, 2019 at 7:16 pm
“Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”
April 22nd, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Oh; this makes me breathe and smile with a happy tear to “see” you two lovely critters out together again in that beautiful air. I used to live around there . . . May all the meadowlarks sing for you . . .
April 23rd, 2019 at 12:17 am
Perhaps it is because this is the time you give to just him … there are lots of other farm siblings who also get attention… I love this story, thank you for sharing!
April 24th, 2019 at 10:40 am
Creatures of habit, for sure! Lovely post. Thank you.
April 25th, 2019 at 3:19 am
William Wegman’s dogs needed to model as their “job.” Fay got a bit grumpy when she felt she was being replaced.
I think it’s the attention and I also think it’s “work” or a “job.” Charlie has it pretty slick for a coyote. Square meals a day, soft bed. Playtime. Belly rubs on demand. He really doesn’t have that much to do. I’m sure he likes it when you are focused only on him. After all these years he’s also sensed a bit about posing for the camera, even though he is clueless about the camera or photos or anything else. He can just sense a positive feedback when he does a certain thing, so he does it.
I had a dog, very photogenic for a black dog, that I swear had a sixth sense about the camera. I could never get a candid shot of him because whenever I tried, he would turn and pose. I could sit still and nonchalant for long periods of time and he’d ignore me. But when that lens was directed at him, he would instantly pose for the camera. I think my new puppy is going to be the same way.
December 14th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Oh my Shreve-you hit the nail on the head with your writing about this photo-and your fantastic photo sessions with Charlie! I have always thought he had a sense that something amazing was going on with these photos-and of course it was always what you did with him-your special time together-and he loved and cherished that time!!! And all of us had the benefit of seeing that love and bond you and Charlie had-thank you again for all you shared with us-Charlie will always be the most amazing coyote ever-and he will be in our hearts always!